Twelve researchers from the technological and industrial fields, with different motivations and career paths, joined forces to inspire young female students through an illustrated calendar in which they share their experiences and work, encouraging them to pursue STEM disciplines. With the aim of making women scientists more visible, the Research Center for Technologies, Energy, and Industrial Processes at the University of Vigo, Cintecx, presented its 2025 calendar this Wednesday. The event is part of the actions to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which will be celebrated on February 11, and included the inauguration of the exhibition Women Researchers at Cintecx, which will remain on display at the center until the end of February.
The event was opened by the Vice-Rector for Research, Transfer, and Innovation at the University of Vigo, Belén Rubio Armesto, who took the opportunity to review the profiles of the researchers featured in the Cintecx 2025 calendar, highlighting their most “motivational” quotes. Following this, the center’s director, Ángeles Sanromán Braga, introduced the initiative and emphasized that the percentage of women researchers in the technological and industrial fields is still below the desired level, stressing the need to work on initiatives that promote female scientific vocations from an early age.
During the event, some of the researchers featured in the calendar also had the opportunity to share their experiences. From the field of materials science, researcher Gloria Pena Surís, from the Encomat group—where women are the majority—underscored the importance of maintaining a balance between men and women to ensure more fruitful progress, stating that “we need to include the perspective of both genders.”
Following Gloria Pena’s speech, the roundtable Equality in Research took place, featuring the participation of the director of the Equality Unit, Yolanda Rodríguez Castro; the coordinator of the Environmental Unit at AIMEN, Luz Herrero Castilla; the director of the Marine Research Institute at CSIC, Beatriz Novoa García; as well as Cintecx director Ángeles Sanromán and researcher Gloria Pena.
Women Researchers Breaking Stereotypes
Moderated by Sanromán, the roundtable provided an opportunity for the speakers to share their experiences and highlight the challenges they have faced throughout their careers.
Bringing their children along for international research stays to balance motherhood with their careers was one of many challenges these women had to face to advance professionally. Other difficulties include caring for children, parents, and relatives, as well as attending conferences, traveling, and participating in meetings. For this reason, the director of IIM-CSIC, Beatriz Novoa, pointed out the importance of supporting researchers at all stages of their careers, from early education to the consolidation phase, “when it is crucial to support female scientists so they do not leave the field due to the difficulties of balancing work and motherhood.”
“To tackle these challenges, positive action measures are necessary, because women are still lagging behind,” emphasized the Vice-Rector. “UVigo promotes unique initiatives such as the talent retention program or the reduction of teaching duties during the first year after childbirth, to help women invest more in research and not fall behind.”
For her part, Yolanda Rodríguez expressed the need for men to be allies in the pursuit of equality and to “not see us as competitors.” She stressed the importance of fostering egalitarian and caring masculinities to build a fairer society. “We are gradually breaking stereotypes, but there is still much to be done, especially from an early age, when children and young people are forming their views,” was one of the most widely agreed-upon statements at the roundtable, highlighted in this case by Teresa Rivas, one of the participating researchers.
Luz Herrero, head of Environmental Technologies in AIMEN’s R&D division, emphasized that “it is essential to make the work of women researchers visible, as well as their contribution to innovation and technological development.” She further stated that at AIMEN, “we work daily on projects that promote sustainability and efficiency in the industry, and it is a privilege to be part of a team where talent and excellence are the true drivers of scientific progress. Participating in initiatives such as this exhibition is an opportunity to share experiences, inspire new generations, and continue building a future where science includes all voices.”
Un intre da mesa redonda 'Igualdade na investigación'
Un intre da intervención de Beatriz Novoa, e á súa esquerda Luz Herrero
Vista dos asistentes á presentación
Gloria Pena é unha das protagonistas do calendario
Un intre da intervención da directora do Cintecx
A investigadora Antía Fernández
